Haddad Biography
Former Cook County Circuit Court Judge William Haddad was a civil jury trial judge in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. In 2013, Judge Haddad returned from the bench to accept an appointment as Senior Mediator and Arbitrator with ADR Systems of America. In addition to his mediation and arbitration duties, in September of 2014, he rejoined his old law firm as “Of Counsel” to Schlack & McGinnity, P.C. (formerly Haddad, Schlack & Associates, P.C.). ADR Systems is the Midwest’s largest alternative dispute resolution service provider. During his 11 years on the bench, Judge Haddad presided over 350 jury trials, including professional malpractice, complex commercial matters, product liability, construction accidents, and major motor vehicle accidents. ADR Systems stated that he has a reputation “for his ability to deftly navigate complicated matters and carefully bring parties to resolution.
Judge Haddad began his legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, where he served as a top felony trial prosecutor. He then organized the law firm of Haddad, Schlack & Associates, where he litigated civil matters for the next 20 years. In 1996, he organized the United States Mutual Association (USMA), a national employment screening company operating in nine regions. In 2000, as president of USMA, he negotiated its sale for 26 times earnings in a merger/acquisition via VSS Capital with the Official Information Company.
Judge Haddad is past chairman of the Board of Visitors at NIU School of Law and has served as an Adjunct Professor at UIC Chicago School of Law. He was a founder of a community bank in suburban Cook County and served on the Board of a homeowners association for several years.
Judge Haddad’s extensive professional experience includes: President and Founder of the Suburban Bar Coalition of Cook County (1998); President and Founder of the Arab-American Bar Association of Illinois (1990); Past President of the West Suburban Bar Association (1997); and Past Chair of the Chicagoland Chambers Crime Prevention Awards Committee. Chairman of AMVOTE-PAC. And in 2025, he founded the Arab American Scholarship Foundation for Illinois law students.
Judge Haddad has lectured and authored articles extensively on issues concerning civil litigation, mediation, and professionalism which were published or presented in The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois State Bar Journal, Illinois Trial Lawyer’s Association, Chicago Bar Association, West Suburban Bar Association, Southwest Suburban Bar Association, Arab-American Bar Association, University of Wisconsin Law School, Loyola School of Law, Robert Morris College, National Business Institute, Anti-Defamation League, Illinois State Bar Diversity Leadership Council, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, Illinois State Bar Constitutional Law Newsletter, United States Commission on Civil Rights, American Bar Association Convention (International Law Section) and American Bar Associations Council on Racial/Ethnic Justic.
Judge Haddad received his B.S. degree from Marquette University and J.D. from DePaul University School of Law. Judge Haddad was identified as the first and only Arab American to sit as a Full Circuit Court Judge in Cook County, Illinois. Judge Haddad has been recognized for his achievements with awards from the Illinois State Bar Association, Crime Stoppers of Illinois, Suburban Bar Coalition of Cook County, West Suburban Bar Association, University of Wisconsin Law School, Northern Illinois University College of Law, Chicago Commission on Human Relations, Arab-American Bar Association, Muslim Bar Association, and St. Ignatius High School.
During his 11 years on the bench, he enjoyed high judicial evaluation recommendations from bar groups throughout Illinois. In 2007, the Chicago Council of Lawyers gave him their highest recommendation, stating that:
“Haddad is considered to have excellent legal ability with substantial litigation experience in both criminal and civil law matters. He is effective and well-versed in the law. His temperament is excellent and his integrity is unquestioned. He is praised widely for his community service.”
Judge Haddad is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School, Marquette University, and DePaul Law School. He is married to Sandra, a former preschool/CCD teacher. His son, William, Jr., is a computer programmer with Illinois IDES. His daughter, Christina, is an environmental lawyer with the Illinois Attorney General. And, his son-in-law, Joshua, is an attorney with the Office of the Illinois Appellate Defender.
To read the Law Bulletin article written about Judge Haddad, click here.
